Kootenay Street Village will include units for low-income seniors thanks to $3.2-million Trust grant
Columbia Basin residents have said our region needs more affordable housing, including the people in and around Cranbrook. To help make this happen, Columbia Basin Trust is investing in a new seniors living community in Cranbrook, called Kootenay Street Village. It is also providing a $3.2-million grant to make rents, on up to 25 of the units, affordable for low-income seniors.
“We’re excited to be part of this village in a unique way, as an investor and also by providing a grant to support subsidized housing for low income seniors,” says Johnny Strilaeff, Columbia Basin Trust President and CEO. “Our priority is to help ensure residents have access to housing that meets their needs, and we thank all partners involved for collaborating to move forward in this creative, effective way. Once built, this facility will have a positive impact on the lives of its residents.”
Kootenay Street Village will consist of 30 funded residential care beds, 6 private care beds and 61 independent living units. A minimum of 20 of the independent living units will be subsidized thanks to the Trust grant.
“We are excited to partner with Interior Health Authority and Columbia Basin Trust to bring our vision of a senior’s wellness hub to Cranbrook,” says Endre Lillejord, CEO of Golden Life Management. “The inclusion of funded residential care, independent living, and low income housing coupled with new and innovative health and wellness programs will ensure all Cranbrook seniors have access to high quality care, housing, and services both within and outside our Village.”
The Trust is also invested in Cranbrook’s Joseph Creek Village, as well as seven other seniors living communities in Castlegar, Creston, Fernie, Fruitvale, Invermere, Kimberley and Nelson. In total, these offer 838 living suites and a range of support services. In addition to providing housing for seniors, these facilities help the Trust earn income that it uses to deliver its programs and initiatives throughout the region. Learn more at ourtrust.org/investments.
The Trust has also prioritized affordable housing, and aims to help Basin residents access affordable housing that meets their basic needs. Since 2002, it has helped create over 1,600 housing units. Along with other initiatives, its recent commitments include the $15-million Housing Initiative, the $2-million Energy Retrofit Program and the $4.5-million First Nations Housing Sustainability Initiative. Learn more at ourtrust.org/housing.
Columbia Basin Trust supports the ideas and efforts of the people in the Columbia Basin. To learn more about the Trust’s programs and initiatives, and how it helps deliver social, economic and environmental benefits to the Basin, visit ourtrust.org.
